Last update Feb. 9, 2023

Acitretin

Limited compatibility

Unsafe. Moderate/severe adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Use safer alternative or discontinue breastfeeding from 5 to 7 T ½ . Read Commentary.

Synthetic retinoid derivated from vitamin A. It is a metabolite of etretinate. It is used in the treatment of severe forms of psoriasis, ichthyosis, Darier's disease and lichen planus. Oral administration.

Despite a low amount secreted through the breast milk, less than 2% of the maternal equivalent dose (Rollman 1990), some expert authors (Hale 2019, Butler 2014, Mervic 2014, Schaefer2007, Rollman 1990) think that product's toxicity justifies to avoid it during breastfeeding.

Others consider it compatible with breastfeeding (Briggs 2017). American Academy of Pediatrics: Maternal medication usually compatible with breastfeeding. (AAP 2001)

It can cause gynecomastia. (Atzenhoffer 2018)

Until there is more published data on this drug in relation to breastfeeding, safer known alternatives may be preferable, especially during the neonatal period and in cases of prematurity.

Alternatives

  • Adalimumab (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Calcipotriol (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Certolizumab (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Ciclosporin (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Clobetasol Propionate (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Etanercept (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Infliximab (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Pimecrolimus (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Tacrolimus (topical use) (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Tazarotene (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Tretinoin (topical use) (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Triamcinolone (topical use) (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • UV-A and UV-B Rays (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Ustekinumab (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Acitretin is also known as


Acitretin in other languages or writings:

Group

Acitretin belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Acitretin in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 36 - 95 %
Molecular weight 326 daltons
Protein Binding 99 %
Tmax 1 - 4 hours
50 -157 hours
M/P ratio 0.18 -
Theoretical Dose 0.006 mg/Kg/d
Relative Dose 1.4 %

References

  1. Hale TW. Medications & Mothers' Milk. 1991- . Springer Publishing Company. Available from https://www.halesmeds.com Consulted on April 10, 2024 Full text (link to original source)
  2. Koh YP, Tian EA, Oon HH. New changes in pregnancy and lactation labelling: Review of dermatologic drugs. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2019 May 16;5(4):216-226. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  3. Atzenhoffer M, Pierre S, Bellet F, Pinel S, Javot L, Vial T, Kassai B, Auffret M.1 Gynecomastia and galactorrhea: Unlabeled adverse drug reactions of retinoids used in dermatology. Drug Safety. 2018;41:1198–9. Poster 1274. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Towers CV, Forinash AB. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk. Wolters Kluwer Health. Tenth edition (acces on line) 2015
  5. Butler DC, Heller MM, Murase JE. Safety of dermatologic medications in pregnancy and lactation: Part II. Lactation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Mar;70(3):417.e1-10; quiz 427. Abstract
  6. Mervic L. Management of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in pregnancy and lactation in the era of biologics. Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat. 2014;23(2):27-31. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. Schaefer C, Peters P, Miller RK. Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation. Treatment options and risk assessment. Elsevier, second edition. London. 2007
  8. AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs. Transfer of drugs and other chemicals into human milk. Pediatrics. 2001 Sep;108(3):776-89. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  9. Rollman O, Pihl-Lundin I. Acitretin excretion into human breast milk. Acta Derm Venereol. 1990 Abstract

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